9 PM Current Affairs Brief – June 21st, 2018

Right on Kashmir’s rights? News: India criticize  UN body’s report on Kashmir as it violates its “sovereignty and territorial integrity”. Important Facts: 2.The first ever report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied published last week. The report has been in production since 2016. A… Continue reading Right on Kashmir’s rights?

Oli’s China visit to focus on connectivity News: Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli is on a visit to China. Important Facts: Nepal has been seeking improved connectivity with China via Tibet after India was accused of blockading essential supplies across the India-Nepal border in 2015. The prime minister of Nepal visit to China will… Continue reading Oli’s China visit to focus on connectivity

Sanctions act passes, sans any waiver provision News: The U.S. Senate has ignored the Donald Trump administration’s request for inclusion of waiver provisions for India in the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Important facts: The CAATSA act requires the Congress to impose sanctions on countries that have “significant” defence relations with Russia. The… Continue reading Sanctions act passes, sans any waiver provision

Kim, Xi agree on resolution of key issues News: The North Korean president is on a two-day trip to Beijing. Important Facts: North Korea and Chinese President have discussed to resolve the issue of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula with the U.S. North Korea president also agreed to cooperate with Chinese officials to secure peace… Continue reading Kim, Xi agree on resolution of key issues

U.S. quits UN human rights body News: The United States has recently announced its withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council. Important Facts: The United States has described UNHRC as “hypocritical and self-serving.” S. has blamed the UNHRC for bias against Israel and its refusing to eject members who violated human rights. The U.S.… Continue reading U.S. quits UN human rights body

The seeds of sustainability Article: Sujatha Byravan, scientist , analyse how zero budget natural farming is successful in Andhra Pradesh and could be the model for the future in other states too. Important Analysis: 2. Recently, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced that the State would fully embrace Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).… Continue reading The seeds of sustainability

Defining death Article: Journalist Anjali Thomas discusses the need for a uniform definition of death in India Important Analysis: 2. Recently, the Kerala government has issued protocols to confirm brain death. This is expected to ensure transparency in the procedure of organ transplantation. 3. Issues with definition of death: Lack of clarity in defining death… Continue reading Defining death

Shillong bags Smart City tag News: Shillong has been selected as the 100th city under the Smart Cities Mission. Important Facts: The announcement sets the end date for the mission as June 2023 Every selected city will get five years to complete its projects. The first 20 cities were selected in January 2016. The selected… Continue reading Shillong bags Smart City tag

‘Pattiseema scheme will help revive Krishna delta’ News: The Andhra Pradesh government has released water from Pattiseema Lift Irrigation into the Krishna Eastern Main Canal in Vijayawada. Important Facts: 2. Issues Delay in releasing water to crops in Krishna Delta due to increasing number of reservoirs and barrages in Maharashtra and Karnataka As a result, crops… Continue reading ‘Pattiseema scheme will help revive Krishna delta’

India’s first river interlinking project caught in U.P.-M.P. tussle News: Number of issues has been hindering the Ken-Betwa Project- the first river-interlinking project in India Important facts: The project will transfer surplus water from Ken River to Betwa Basin   Two phases: 1st phase involves the building of Dhaudhan dam, and a 230km long canal… Continue reading India’s first river interlinking project caught in U.P.-M.P. tussle